• By: Katie Hartai

Upcoming Festival Launch for Westfest

Ottawa’s favourite free arts festival is coming back to town!

Westfest will be launching the line-up and programming for their 2015 event on Thursday, March 12, at 10 a.m. sharp. The public announcement will be made at Clocktower Brew Pub on Richmond Road.

WestfestEach year more than 100,000 people attend Westfest—a celebration of Canadian art and culture across 14 city blocks in the Westboro Village. The festival is now in its 12th year and is scheduled to happen the second weekend in June. There is no admission fee for any of the activities and everyone is welcome—even the family pooch!

Westfest attracts hundreds of Canadian artists from a variety of disciplines, including music, dance, visual art, performance art, poetry and children’s entertainment. On top of the street acts, a main outdoor stage also features some of the best performers in the country. Last year’s opening night headliner was Juno nominee George Leach.

Elaina Martin is the founder, producer and artistic director of Westfest. She has been producing, promoting and booking Canadian music acts and artists for more than 20 years. In 2013 she was honoured with the Victor Tolgesy Art Award which is the most prestigious award given for outstanding contributions to the Arts in the City of Ottawa.

The stellar line-up of talent released this Thursday surely will not disappoint.